Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan, Regional Director of DSWD-NCR, discusses the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Foster Care Acts of 2012 of the 1st Semester 2013 Social Welfare and Development Forum “Aruga at Kalinga para sa mga Bata sa Barangay: An Alternative Parental Care for Children in Need of Special Protection” Wednesday at the Makati Palace Hotel, Makati City(PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan)hbc/acd

Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan (right) of the Commission on Higher Education discusses during a news conference Wednesday at the CHED Office in Quezon City the Students’ Grants-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation, a most exciting part of the government’s student assistance program as it directly benefits students of the poorest families. The SGP-PA, with an allocation of P500M, is administered by CHED for State Universities and Colleges in support of the reform agenda for public higher education. Also in photo is Social Welfare Secretary Corazon J. Soliman. (PNA photo by Luisito L. Iglesias)hbc/ron

MANILA, May 22 — Some parts of Northern Luzon and Southern Mindanao may expect light rains due to a diffused tail-end of a cold front and intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday.

May 22, 2013 9:24 am· Comments Off on Hunger, poverty rates in Egypt up sharply over past three years: UN report

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 — Poverty and food insecurity have risen significantly in Egypt over the past three years, deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey told reporters here Tuesday, citing a joint report by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Egyptian government.

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday called on the international community to work towards a "water secure world" as part of the global ecosystem plan noted in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and post- 2015 agenda.